The 10 Best All-Terrain Tires
For the most part, the automotive industry is covered by tire models that offer various kinds of performance on paved surfaces. In a separate section are the tires designed for maximum off-road traction. There is a section between both called all-terrain tires.
Recently I outlined my top 10 picks for the best mud-terrain tires, and today I’m going for a slightly different list. I will talk about off-road capable tires, but not the kind I mentioned on the previous list. These are all-terrain tires, which are a blend of road and off-road tires, so they offer the best of both worlds.
Things aren’t as simple as that, because there are some limitations. With all-terrain tires, it’s in the form of performance in the most extreme situations. An all-terrain tire won’t be as good on the road as a touring tire and it won’t be as good in off-roading as a mud-terrain one.
If you’re okay with that, let’s talk about why you’d need an all-terrain tire.
Why do you need All-Terrain Tires?
People that need an off-road tire should look at mud-terrain ones, right? Yes, while that is true, the all-terrain models have a market of their own. Considering that these are a blend of on and off-road performance, you are making some compromises in some areas, but you’re getting more in others.
As long as you’re not a hard-core off-roader, all-terrain tires are the best option. You won’t do a lot of rock-crawling, but you will get solid road performance which comes close to the road-going counterparts.
Now that you know what to expect from an all-terrain tire, let’s meet the contestants.
#1. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
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I’m starting off this list with a tire from a company that knows what off-roading is all about. The Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is a mouthful, but it’s worth it because you’re looking at one of the best all-terrain tires on the market.
In dry conditions, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure is a tire that will satisfy the needs of most drivers. The grip and traction levels are more than enough for regular driving and there is a bit more if you ever decide to push it. One thing that I’m not a huge fan of is the handling. For most people, it will be fine, but it lacks a bit in responsiveness and feedback. It’s not a massive deal breaker because it’s not a tire that you’ll take to the track. On a positive note, the braking distances are very short and the tire remains very stable even when you’re driving on the highway.
The excellent performance in dry conditions, continues even the roads are wet. On damp surfaces, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure has no problem with traction and you can accelerate with no slip. You can do a burnout, but most people don’t do that, so it’s fine. Going into corners isn’t an issue, as the grip levels are high. The limits aren’t as high as road-going tires, so you can overdo it and end up with plenty of understeer. Thanks to the tread pattern, the tire’s ability to remain stable in deeper water patches is excellent.
In snowy conditions, the levels of performance you’ll get depend on the type of model you have. The P-metric tires are solid over unpacked snow and can even deliver a decent performance when the snow is deeper. Like most all-season tires, you’ll notice a bit more slip on packed snow. If you’re going for the LT-metric, you’ll get better performance because those tires come with the 3PMSF rating. As a result, in lighter conditions, you’ll get better traction, while in harsher conditions, there is a more noticeable difference.
As an all-terrain tire, you should get off-road performance, and the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure delivers on that front. Driving on gravel or dirt roads poses no problem for the tire. There’s more than enough traction unless you drive like you’re on a rally stage. It’s controllable and easy to handle even when it loses grip. Going for something more extreme, like mud, is also an area where the tire will deliver. It will have no problem with shallower mud and will struggle a bit in a deeper one, which is to be expected. Rock-crawling is on the table, but it’s not something that this tire excels at.
The levels of refinement are more or less similar as you’d expect from an all-terrain tire. You’ll get solid comfort levels, as the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure will soften up bumps in the road without feeling bouncy. On the other hand, the noise levels aren’t the lowest. Even in the all-terrain segment, there are models which are quieter than this one.
In terms of warranty, as a premium model, you’re getting a very solid package. The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the upper side of the scale in this category.
Pros
- Plenty of performance on paved roads
- Strong contender in off-road conditions, except for rock crawling
- The tire comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Noise levels are slightly higher
- If you want a better snow performance, you’ll need LT-metric models with 3PMSF rating
#2. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
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In this category of the tire industry, as a direct competitor of the previous tire, we have the All-Terrain T/A KO2 from BFGoodrich. As a premium model, it offers all the performance you need on and off-road with almost no compromises.
When it comes to performance in dry conditions, there aren’t too many tires that can outperform the All-Terrain T/A KO2. Yes, the grip and traction levels aren’t the highest in the industry, but for daily use, they are more than enough to keep you safe. Speaking of safety, the tire’s braking distances are very short. The handling is the tire’s weakest point, which is a similar case to the previous one. Despite the tire being very stable, it lacks in terms of responsiveness.
The high praises continue in the wet department, which is another positive side of the All-Terrain T/A KO2. As long as you’re not being overly aggressive, the traction and grip levels will keep the tire clawed to the road and you won’t notice any slip. BFGoodrich nailed it with the tread pattern as it helps the tire evacuate water efficiently, resulting in excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Tires with a 3PMSF rating are better than M+S-rated ones in snowy conditions, so the All-Terrain T/A KO2 aces this as well. Regardless if you’re driving on packed or unpacked snow, the tire will remain planted and carry on without you worrying about getting stuck. This also means that you’re getting short braking distances, so it’s a safe tire. Considering that it’s still an all-season model, there are some limitations that prevent it from performing as well as a winter tire.
When it comes to off-roading, there aren’t too many situations where the All-Terrain T/A KO2 disappoints. In lighter conditions, like driving on hard-packed surfaces, the tread pattern does an excellent job of providing traction and keeping the braking distances as short as possible. Despite not having the most aggressive pattern, the tire is pretty good when you’re driving in mud. Sure, there is a point where it will be too deep, but in most cases, you’ll be fine. Even when you need to do some rock-crawling, the tire will have you covered. The performance isn’t the same as a mud-terrain tire, but in this category, I’d say it’s among the best.
Going for an all-terrain tire means that you’ll need to sacrifice a few things, especially in terms of refinement. The comfort levels are acceptable, and the tire does decently well at softening bumps and imperfections. With that said, there are more comfortable tires in this category. The noise also isn’t the lowest in the all-terrain segment. It’s livable and the All-Terrain T/A KO2 isn’t the most intrusive tire, but you’ll hear it, especially at highway speeds.
A slight disadvantage of the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is in terms of the warranty. BFGoodrich offers it with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty which is less than the Goodyear model and some of the mid-range models you’ll see on this list.
Pros
- One of the best off-road performance in the all-terrain segment
- Grip and traction levels on paved roads are superb
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Not the most well-refined tire
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
#3. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
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Moving away from the premium models, we have one from a popular mid-range brand. Cooper released several models under the Discoverer family and the one I’ve chosen is the AT3 4S. Compared with some others, it’s not an aggressive all-terrain tire, so it should be focused more towards road performance.
On a dry road, the Discoverer AT3 4S is a very capable tire, considering the category it’s in. When compared with some of the more aggressive all-terrain models, this one seems to be a bit more road-focused. It’s planted and with the levels of grip and traction, you can push it more. It’s the same situation in the handling department. The sharpness and feedback combined with the short braking distances make the tire feel more like a touring model.
Driving in wet conditions is another aspect that the Discoverer AT3 4S does very well. It’s not as sticky as on dry roads, but it’s still very good. It sticks to damp roads and minimizes slip as much as possible and holds the line relatively easily in the corners. The handling is predictable, and the tire won’t catch you by surprise if you push it too far. Safety is a strong side of this tire, thanks to the short braking distances and the excellent aquaplaning resistance. This is the surprising part, considering that it doesn’t have an overly aggressive pattern.
The lack of an aggressive pattern is the main reason there are better-performing all-terrain tires in snowy conditions. The Discoverer AT3 4S does well as long as the snow is shallow and you’ll notice it slipping when you drive in a deep patch. As a tire with a 3PMSF rating, it won’t struggle too much over package snow, but it won’t be as good as a dedicated winter tire. In both situations, the braking distances are short enough.
As good as the Discoverer AT3 4S is on paved roads, the off-road performance takes a slight hit. Unlike most of the models you’ll find on this list, the tire’s abilities will be good in lighter conditions. Driving on gravel is not a problem, and the tire delivers excellent traction. The positive side continues in shallow mud, where the tire digs in and offers very usable traction. This is where the less aggressive pattern handicaps the tire. In deeper mud, you’ll notice a lot more slip, as the tire struggles to grip the surface. Things don’t improve much with rock-crawling. You can try but don’t expect wonders.
One of the more positive things about the Discoverer AT3 4S is the refinement. As an all-terrain tire aimed more towards road performance, Cooper made it quieter than most of the competitors. Even when you’re driving at higher speeds, the growl isn’t too loud. The same goes for comfort levels. Even though it’s not a touring tire, it comes pretty close, thanks to its ability to absorb the bumps and minimize vibrations when hitting a larger hole.
So far, this is a tire with the longest treadwear warranty. Cooper offers the Discoverer AT3 4S with a 65,000-mile warranty, which is longer than some of the premium competitors.
Pros
- Superb road performance
- Decent handling characteristics
- Well refined
Cons
- Off-road performance isn’t as good as some of its rivals
- Priced slightly higher in the mid-range segment
#4. Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
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You may think that this is a mistake, but it isn’t. If the previous tire is the milder version in the Discoverer lineup, the AT3 XLT is the most aggressive. As a result, this is a tire you should look at if the off-road performance of the previous one isn’t enough for you.
As an all-terrain tire, the Discoverer AT3 XLT is a tire that can offer solid performance on dry roads. Under normal daily driving scenarios, the grip and traction levels are more than enough. You can push it a bit but don’t expect it to stick to the road like glued. Even though the tire is stable in a straight line, I feel like it’s not the most responsive model on the market. In terms of safety, you’re getting very short braking distances when compared to the rest of the mid-range models.
On damp surfaces, the Discoverer AT3 XLT continues with its solid performance, and it does a decent job at it. There is enough traction to get you going and the grip will be enough to go around a corner without slipping. Getting a bit more aggressive will upset it, but that’s not how most people drive on the roads. The braking distances are impressively short, putting the tire near the top in this category. Going for a more aggressive pattern means the tire can evacuate water effectively, providing excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Similar to the previous model from Cooper, the Discoverer AT3 XLT comes with a 3PMSF rating, meaning that it’s not a poor performer on snow. For the most part, it deals with unpacked snow better than over packed one, but it’s not a massive difference. There is a point where it will struggle in deeper snow, but that’s the same with all the tires on this list. Finally, the braking distances aren’t breaking any records, but they are short and safe in my book.
In terms of off-roading, the Discoverer AT3 XLT is a capable tire, which should be fine for most. The most common off-road conditions are gravel or dirt roads, which this tire will tackle with ease. It offers excellent traction levels, so unless you’re too aggressive, you won’t get it to slip. Mud is a common occurrence and this tire will do fine, but not in all situations. It will have no issues in shallow mud and will do well in deep one. With that said, I wouldn’t classify it as the absolute best, because there are other models that are slightly better. As for rock-crawling, it’s not a tire I’d pick as the best, or even good. You can use it if you have to but don’t expect it to be as good as mud-terrain tire.
Unlike the previous AT3 model, the Discoverer AT3 XLT isn’t as well refined as I’d want. The comfort levels a slightly harsher. It softens up the smaller imperfections, but with larger potholes, you’ll notice a bigger jolt. Things don’t improve much in the noise department. The tire is acceptably quiet as an all-terrain one, but there are quieter options out there. For the most part, the tire will be the most audible on rougher roads and the highway.
The warranty is an area where the Discoverer AT3 XLT is ahead of plenty of its rivals. With a tread wear warranty of 60,000 miles, it’s as good as some of the premium models I mentioned.
Pros
- Decent price per performance ratio
- Solid performance on the road, especially in dry conditions
- More than enough off-road performance for non-extreme situations
Cons
- Wet performance is a bit behind some of its competitors
- The refinement levels aren’t too impressive
#5. Toyo Open Country A/T III
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If you’ve read my comparison of the Discoverer AT3 XLT and the Open Country A/T III, you’ll know how close both tires are in terms of performance. With that in mind, I had to include Toyo’s model on this list.
Dry performance is the “easiest” for these kinds of tires, so you won’t find many of them struggling. The Open Country A/T III is a tire that provides excellent performance in these conditions, leaving plenty of headroom for a bit of aggressive driving. It’s not a miracle worker, so don’t expect wonders from it. When compared to the previous tire, it’s just marginally gripper, but the difference is barely noticeable. In terms of handling, it’s responsive enough, but the tracking is falling behind some of its competitors. One thing the tire does best is stopping and provides short braking distances.
Driving on damp surfaces is another area where the Open Country A/T III won’t disappoint. The traction and grip levels are excellent for an all-terrain tire, offering a lot more than what you’d need in daily driving scenarios. You can accelerate without slipping and carry decent speeds around corners, so you won’t be worrying about the tire letting go mid-corner. The tread pattern is designed for the best possible water evacuation properties, meaning that you’re getting excellent aquaplaning resistance. Finally, the tire’s overall wet performance helps it to deliver short braking distances.
Similar to the previous tire, the Open Country A/T III comes with a 3PMSF rating, resulting in better snow performance. As a result, the tire won’t struggle on shallow unpacked snow and it will do very well in deep snow. The best part is that the tire has solid amounts of traction on packed snow, an area where some of its rivals struggle. In terms of the braking distances, they may not be the shortest in the all-terrain segment but come pretty close to the top.
People get all-terrain tires for their off-road performance, and the Open Country A/T III will deliver. Hard-packed surfaces pose no problem for the tire, thanks to the superb levels of traction. You won’t notice it struggling unless you decide to drive it hard. The tire will have no major problems in harsher conditions, like mud. It’s perfectly capable of driving in shallow mud and will be good in deeper one. There is a point where it will struggle, but unless you’re going for the most extreme situations, you’ll be fine. Similar to the previous tire, rock-crawling isn’t something you should do often with this tire. It may be fine for lighter situations, but it’s not a mud-terrain tire.
Looking at the refinement levels, the Open Country A/T III isn’t a tire that I’d call excellent. The comfort levels are a bit on the harsh side, especially with large potholes. There’s a noticeable jolt like with the previous tire. For smaller bumps and imperfections, the tire does a decent job of softening them. The noise levels also aren’t particularly good and you will hear the tire, especially at higher speeds.
Compared with the previous tire, the Open Country A/T III has a slight advantage. Toyo offers the tire with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is 5,000 miles more than what Cooper offers for the AT3 XLT.
Pros
- 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Superb off-road performance
- Grip and traction levels on paved roads are excellent for an all-terrain tire
Cons
- Lacks a bit in terms of refinement
- Priced a bit higher than some of the rival models
#6. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
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Going back to the premium manufacturers, we have the Dueler A/T Revo 3 from Bridgestone. The tire is an excellent choice if you’re looking at it as a package. With that said, there are a few things you should know that could be a deal breaker for you.
The area where the Dueler A/T Revo 3 doesn’t disappoint in the performance on dry roads. You’ll hardly find yourself when you’ll reach the limits. They aren’t high, but they are high enough so that most drivers don’t have a problem unless they get aggressive. The handling is surprisingly responsive, despite a bit more flex in the sidewall, but at the end of the day, it’s not a performance tire. One area where it lacks a bit is the braking distances. They are short and well within the safe zone, but there are better performers on the market.
I would rate the Dueler A/T Revo 3 as an excellent performer, even in the wet department. It delivers high levels of traction on damp surfaces, enabling it to remain stable even when you get aggressive. Naturally, going overboard will cause it to slip. In terms of the braking distances, they are far more impressive than the ones in dry conditions. Finally, the tread pattern does a marvelous job at enabling the tire to have excellent aquaplaning resistance.
The Dueler A/T Revo 3 is a tire that comes with the M+S rating, meaning that the snow performance will be limited. Driving on unpacked snow is fine as long as it isn’t too deep. In those situations, you’ll notice the tire struggling for traction. It’s a similar situation over packed snow, making the tire usable, but far from the best in the all-terrain segment.
Even though the Dueler A/T Revo 3 is technically an all-terrain tire, the performance in these conditions isn’t as pronounced. Driving in lighter conditions, like dirt roads, is nothing you should worry about. There’s plenty of traction to eliminate any chances of getting stuck. It’s a similar situation when driving in mud, as long as you don’t go in the deep trenches because that’s when the tire will struggle. When it comes to rock-crawling, I’d advise you against it. Even though you won’t find an all-terrain tire as good as mud-terrain one, but this one doesn’t do the best job in these conditions.
Due to the internal construction, the Dueler A/T Revo 3 is a tire that’s a surprisingly solid performer in terms of comfort. The tire absorbs quite a lot of bumps and imperfections, delivering a very smooth ride, considering it’s an all-terrain model. Noise is something that plagues all-terrain tires, and this is no exception. There is some noise coming from it, which is most noticeable at higher speeds.
The warranty is an area where the Dueler A/T Revo 3 does very well. Bridgestone offers the tire with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on a similar level as the rest of the premium models.
Pros
- Decent refinement levels
- Surprisingly responsive
- Excellent road performance
Cons
- Off-road performance is slightly above average
- The internal construction isn’t suitable for hard-core off-roading
#7. Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8
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We often praise Nexen for making solid performing tires at an affordable price. It’s the same thing with the Roadian AT Pro RA8, an all-terrain tire that won’t excel in every situation, but will be more than enough for what most people are after.
Driving with the Roadian AT Pro RA8 on dry roads is pretty solid. The tire delivers high levels of grip and traction, meaning that you won’t get any slip in normal driving scenarios. It’s not the grippiest tire in this class, so getting too aggressive will cause the tire to slip. The tire handles decently well and isn’t the slowest to respond when compared with the rest of the mid-range pack. As for the braking distances, they are short and safe, but there are better performers even in this category.
Moving on to wet performance, we see the Roadian AT Pro RA8 delivering solid results. On damp surfaces, the tire doesn’t struggle with traction too much, which is why most people won’t have massive problems with it. As good as the tire may seem initially, it’s not the best in the all-terrain segment, so avoid pushing it hard. The tire seems to be safe, which is clear from the short braking distances. Also, the pattern evacuates the water pretty good, resulting in excellent aquaplaning resistance.
One area where the Roadian AT Pro RA8 does solidly well is in the snow performance. The 3PMSF rating means it can deliver performance, even in harsher conditions. Unpacked snow poses no problem, even when you’re driving in a deeper one. The performance on packed one isn’t as good, but it’s better than most M+S-rated tires. As for the braking distances, they are short and safe. Considering everything, I’d even call them excellent, especially when compared to some of its rivals.
Off-roading is something this tire does well, despite a few slight drawbacks. The Roadian AT Pro RA8 won’t struggle for traction on gravel and as long as you’re not too aggressive, you won’t have any issues with it. One thing I’m not a fan of is the breaking distances. They are still short, but considering the rest of the performance, I was hoping for more. Driving in mud is another area where the tire won’t have any issues. It will tackle shallow mud with ease and you’ll notice a bit of slip once you reach the deeper parts. Similar to most all-terrain tires, rock-crawling isn’t its forte. I will categorize it as usable in lighter conditions and that’s as much as you should expect from it.
Refinement is an area where the Roadian AT Pro RA8 doesn’t do so badly. Despite the all-terrain badge, the comfort levels aren’t terrible. It softens up the bumps and larger blows without transferring tons of vibrations into the cabin. The noise levels are solid, but far from the best. You’ll hear the tire at highway speeds or on rougher roads. With that said, it’s not the most intrusive one.
Even though the warranty isn’t terrible, it falls a bit behind some of the other entries on this list. The Roadian AT Pro RA8 comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is solid, but not the best even in the mid-range class.
Pros
- Performance on paved roads is solid
- Plenty of off-road performance in non-harsh conditions
- Decent capabilities on snow
Cons
- Slightly longer braking distances on gravel
- The treadwear warranty is average for its class
#8. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
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Continuing with the trend of mid-range brands that offer good performance for an affordable price, we have a tire from Falken. The Wildpeak A/T3W is a solid option that would satisfy the needs of most casual off-roaders, as long as they’re not looking for the best performance.
For regular driving on dry roads, the Wildpeak A/T3W is a tire that won’t leave you asking for more. The grip and traction levels are very good for a mid-range option. As long as you’re not too aggressive, the tire won’t have any issues when accelerating or going around corners. The braking distances are also pretty good for this class, which aren’t too far off the premium models. One thing I have to mention is the handling. It’s not the worst tire, but even in this category, there are more responsive tires.
The performance continues when the roads are wet and the Wildpeak A/T3W is a solid performer. There’s more than enough traction on damp roads to keep the slip to a minimum on acceleration. It’s a similar situation in terms of grip and the tire holds the line around the corner without too many problems. At a certain point, it will let go, but you’ll need to be committed. The braking distances are suitable enough to a point I’d call them safe. With that said, the overall result is above average in the mid-range class. One area the tire excels is the aquaplaning resistance, especially when talking about the LT models.
For snow performance, as a tire with a 3PMSF rating, the Wildpeak A/T3W is an excellent performer. The traction levels on unpacked snow are very good for an all-terrain model and you can even get a very good performance in deeper snow. You will notice it struggling a bit over packed snow, but it’s not a massive deal breaker. In terms of the braking distances, they aren’t on the same level as the premium models but are fairly short for the mid-range category.
In off-roading conditions, the Wildpeak A/T3W proves to be a powerful contender in this category, coming very close to the premium models. On hard-packed surfaces, the traction levels are excellent and you can accelerate or go around a corner with minimal or no slip. The tread design does an excellent job when driving in mud. In shallow mud, there will be no problems and only when you go in the deep stuff, you’ll notice a bit of slip. Falken’s internal construction makes this a solid choice for playing with the pressure for rock-crawling. It’s good enough, as long as you’re not after something very extreme.
Tires with reinforced internal construction aren’t known for being comfortable, so I can say the same about the Wildpeak A/T3W. It’s not overly harsh and does a decent job at absorbing bumps, but it’s not the most comfortable tire on this list. The area where it does much better than its competitors is in terms of noise. It’s far from a touring tire, but in the all-terrain segment, I’d say it’s near the quietest. The roar is there, but Falken tuned it down a bit.
As far as the warranty is concerned, it’s not too bad considering it’s a mid-range option. The Wildpeak A/T3W comes with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it slightly behind the Cooper models.
Pros
- Low noise levels
- Excellent for off-roading scenarios
- Very good snow performance for an all-terrain tire
Cons
- The road performance is slightly behind its direct rivals
- Don’t expect the softest ride quality
#9. Kumho Road Venture AT51
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Whenever you hear or read Kumho, you don’t even think about an off-road capable tire. The good news for many casual off-roaders is that the company has the Road Venture AT51, which is an affordable tire with a decent performance that should suffice for most drivers.
On a dry road, the tire’s performance is decent. The Road Venture AT51 will provide you with solid levels of grip and traction, so for regular everyday driving, it will be fine. It falls back a bit when compared to some of its rivals, but this is something you’ll notice only if you push it. It has decently dynamic handling, which is the area that may give you enough confidence to push it and end up with understeer. The braking distances aren’t class-leading, but they are short enough and I’d call them safe.
Civilized drivers will find the Road Venture AT51 as a solid performer on wet roads. There’s enough traction to accelerate without wheel spin and the grip will keep things in check in the corners. The overall performance is above average for the mid-range category, so good enough, but not the best. I can say the same about the braking distances – short and safe. One area the tire excels in is the aquaplaning resistance. The tread pattern does an excellent job of keeping the tire stable even when you’re driving on the highway.
Similar to the previous tire, the Road Venture AT51 comes with a 3PMSF rating, so the performance on snow is pretty good. Shallow unpacked snow is no problem for the tire and it drives over it without breaking a sweat. It struggles slightly in deeper snow, a bit more than some of its rivals, but it’s still a solid performer. Things are similar with packed snow. The traction is there, but getting a bit carried away will cause some slip.
A glimpse of hope for this tire is in the off-road performance. The Road Venture AT51 deals with gravel and dirt with ease, delivering plenty of performance that will be more than enough for most drivers. Naturally, you can overload it if you’re too aggressive, but overall, you won’t have massive issues. The self-cleaning tread pattern does a very good job of delivering consistent performance on mud and you can even get the tire out of deeper patches without too many issues. The weakest point is rock-crawling. You can do it, but you won’t get the same performance as some of the other tires on this list, or a dedicated mud-terrain tire.
Kumho made some promises in terms of refinement and delivered up to a point. The comfort levels of the Road Venture AT51 are good enough so that I don’t turn into a critic. It’s soft enough for an all-terrain tire, and the ride quality won’t be bumpy. With that said, there are some slightly softer tires on this list. The noise levels, on the other hand, are pretty good. Like most tires from this category, the growl is unavoidable, but it’s subdued at slower speeds. For the most part, the tire will be the noisiest at higher speeds.
The warranty of the Road Venture AT51 is identical to the previous tire, so it’s not too bad. Kumho offers the tire with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is solid for a mid-range tire.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Solid overall performance
Cons
- Snow performance falls a bit behind some of its rivals
- Won’t deal well with more extreme off-road scenarios
#10. Kenda Klever A/T2
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The last tire is from a Taiwanese company that few people know about. The Klever A/T2 from Kenda is a surprisingly solidly performing tire that may not be the cheapest of the bunch but delivers an excellent price-per-performance ratio.
On a dry road, the Klever A/T2 will have no problems delivering the performance you’ll need for normal driving. The grip and traction levels aren’t the highest in the class but are good enough. You can accelerate or go around a corner with no slip, as long as you don’t drive too aggressively. The safety aspect of the tire is also pretty good, thanks to the short braking distances. Again, they aren’t the shortest in the mid-range class but are short enough. The handling is the weakest part of the tire. I wouldn’t call it the least responsive, but I will say that there are sharper tires on the market.
For wet performance, the Klever A/T2 has some drawbacks. Even though the tire isn’t designed to compete with the premium models, the traction levels on damp surfaces aren’t the best. Sure, they’ll be fine for daily driving, and you won’t feel unsafe. With that said, you may need to be a bit more cautious. The good news is that the braking distances are short, putting the tire near the top of the mid-range class. Another area the tire excels in is aquaplaning resistance. Kenda designed a tread that evacuates the water efficiently, making it stable even at higher speeds.
Winter performance is something that the Klever A/T2 doesn’t disappoint. Thanks to the 3PMSF rating, you’ll get a better snow performance when compared to M+S-rated tires. Driving on unpacked snow won’t be a massive issue, as long as it’s not too deep. The packed one will be a bit tricky, so you’ll need to be gentle with your inputs to get the most out of this tire. Like before, the safety aspect is excellent, and the tire has some very short braking distances.
Being the second all-terrain version, the Klever A/T2 brings a lot of improvements in the off-road department. The traction levels on gravel roads are excellent and the tire can compete with some of the best in its class. It feels planted, stable, and capable of getting you anywhere. Driving in mud is another aspect where the tire won’t disappoint. It will tackle shallow mud with no issues and in deeper situations, it will help you get out of some tricky situations. There is a point where it will struggle, but that’s in extremer situations. Considering the reinforcements, the tire can do some mild rock-crawling, but don’t rely too much on that.
The biggest surprise for me was how well-refined the Klever A/T2 is. Despite the reinforcements, the sidewall absorbs bumps and road imperfections excellently, providing a smooth ride. You will notice occasional vibrations with larger holes, but they aren’t terrible. The noise levels are also worth the praise. They are on the lower side of the spectrum, making this an acceptably quiet tire, even when compared with some of the more expensive options on the market.
As for the warranty, considering the price point, it’s excellent. The Klever A/T2 comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is near the top of the mid-range segment and better than some premium tires.
Pros
- Excellent treadwear warranty
- Superb refinement
- Capable off-roader
Cons
- Wet performance isn’t the best in class
- Durability in extreme off-road scenarios is questionable
